ATGM is a weapon for the destruction of tanks. ATGM "Cornet": technical specifications

Anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) - weapons designed primarily to combat enemy armored vehicles. It can also be used to defeat fortified points, firing at low-flying targets and for other tasks.

General information

Managed missiles are an important part of the anti-tank missile system (ATGM), which also includes an ATGM launcher and guidance systems. The so-called solid fuel is used as an energy source, and the warhead (CU) is most often equipped with a cumulative charge.

As modern tanks began to be equipped with composite armor and active dynamic defense systems, new anti-tank missiles also evolve. Tandem ammunition replaced the single cumulative warhead. As a rule, these are two consecutive charges located one after another. In the course of their explosion, two cumulative jets are formed successively, with more effective armor penetration. If a single charge "flushes" up to 600 mm of homogeneous armor, then the tandem charge is 1200 mm or more. In this case, the elements of dynamic protection "extinguish" only the first stream, and the second destructive ability does not lose.

Also, ATGMs can be equipped with a thermobaric warhead, creating the effect of a volumetric explosion. When activated, aerosol explosives are sprayed in the form of a cloud, which are then detonated, covering a large area of fire.

These types of ammunition include ATGM "Cornet" (RF), "Milan" (France-Germany), "Dzhavelin" (USA), "Spike" (Israel) and others.

Prerequisites for creation

Despite the widespread use of hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers (RPGs) in the Second World War, they could not fully provide for the anti-tank defense of infantry. It was not possible to raise the RPG's firing range, because due to the relatively slow speed of this type of ammunition, their range and accuracy did not meet the effectiveness requirements for fighting armored vehicles beyond 500 meters. Infantry units required an effective anti-tank facility capable of hitting tanks at long distances. To solve the problem of accurate long-range shooting, an ATGM was created - an anti-tank guided missile.

History of creation

The first studies on the development of precision missile munitions began in the 40s of the twentieth century. A real breakthrough in the development of new types of weapons was achieved by the Germans, creating in 1943 the world's first ATGM X-7 Rotkaeppchen (translated "Little Red Riding Hood"). From this model the history of antitank weapons ATGM begins.

With the proposal to create Rotkaeppchen, BMW "appealed to the Wehrmacht command in 1941, but the favorable situation for Germany at the fronts was the reason for the refusal. However, already in 1943, the creation of such a rocket had yet to begin. The work was directed by Dr. M. Kramer, who developed a series of aviation missiles under the general designation "X" for the German Ministry of Aviation.

Characteristics of the X-7 Rotkaeppchen

In fact, the X-7 anti-tank missile can be considered as a continuation of the "X" series, because the main constructive solutions of these types of missiles were widely used in it. The case had a length of 790 mm, a diameter of 140 mm. The tail of the rocket was a stabilizer and two keels mounted on an arc-shaped bar to exit the control planes from the hot-gas propellant (powder) engine zone. Both keels were made in the form of washers with deflected plates (trim tabs), which were used as elevator rudders or ATPM steering wheels.

The weapon for its time was revolutionary. To ensure the stability of the rocket in flight, it rotated along its longitudinal axis at a speed of two revolutions per second. With the aid of a special delay block, the control signals were fed to the control plane (trim tabs) only when they were in the desired position. In the rear part there was a power plant in the form of a two-mode engine from WASAG. The cumulative warhead overcame 200 mm armor.

The control system included a stabilization unit, a switch, steering wheel drives, command and receiver blocks, and two cable coils. The control system worked according to a method that today is referred to as the "three point method".

ATGM of the first generation

After the war, the winning countries used the achievements of the Germans for their own production of ATGMs. Weapons of this type were recognized as very promising for fighting armored vehicles on the front lines, and from the mid-1950s the first models were replenished by the arsenals of the countries of the world.

ATGMs of the first generation proved successful in military conflicts of the 1950s and 1970s. Since there is no documentary evidence of the use of the German "Little Red Riding Hood" in combat operations (although they were fired around 300), the French model Nord SS.10 became the first guided missile used in real combat (Egypt, 1956). There during the Six-Day War of 1967 between the Arab countries and Israel, the Soviet ATGM "Malyutka", supplied to the USSR by the Egyptian army, proved effective.

Application of ATGM: attack

Weapons of the first generation require careful preparation of an arrow. When hovering the warhead and following remote control, the same principle of the three points is used:

• The crosshair of the vizier;
• Rocket on the trajectory;
• Hit target.

Having carried out the shot, the operator through the optical sight should simultaneously monitor the sighting mark, the tracer of the projectile and the mobile target, and manually produce control commands. They are transferred to the board of the rocket by the wires that follow it. Their use imposes restrictions on the speed of the ATGM: 150-200 m / s.

If in the heat of battle splinters break the wire, the shell becomes uncontrollable. Low speed allowed the armored vehicles to make evasive maneuvers (if the distance allowed), and the calculation, which was forced to control the trajectory of the warhead, was vulnerable. However, the probability of getting very high is 60-70%.

Second generation: launch of ATGM

The real weapons from the first generation differ semiautomatic guidance of the missile on the target. That is, with the operator removed an intermediate task - to monitor the trajectory of the projectile. His job is to keep the aiming mark on the target, and the "smart equipment" built into the rocket sends the corrective commands. The system operates on the principle of two points.

Also in some ATGMs of the second generation a new guidance system is used - transmission of commands along the laser beam. This greatly increases the launch range and allows the use of rockets with a higher flight speed.

Control of ATGMs of the second generation is carried out in various ways:

• By wire (Milan, ERYX);
• On a protected radio link with duplicate frequencies ("Chrysanthemum");
• On a laser beam ("Cornet", TRIGAT, "Dehlavia").

Point-to-point mode allowed to increase the probability of falling to 95%, however in systems with wire control the limitation of the warhead speed remained.

The third generation

A number of countries switched to the third generation of ATGMs, the main principle of which is the motto "shot and forgotten". The operator needs only to aim and launch the ammunition, and an intelligent missile with a thermal imaging homing head operating in the infrared range will itself guide the selected object. Such a system significantly increases the maneuverability and survivability of the calculation, and, consequently, affects the effectiveness of combat.

In fact, these complexes are manufactured and sold only by the US and Israel. American "Javelin" (FGM-148 Javelin), "Predator" (Predator), Israeli "Spike" (Spike) - the most advanced portable ATGM. Information about the weapons shows that most of the models of tanks are defenseless before them. These systems are not simply indoctrinated on armored vehicles, but also hit it in the most vulnerable part - the upper hemisphere.

Advantages and disadvantages

The principle of "shot-forget" increases the speed of fire and, accordingly, the mobility of the calculation. Also improve the operational characteristics of the weapon. The probability of destruction of the third-generation ATGM target is theoretically 90%. In practice, the use of optic-electronic suppression systems by the enemy is possible, which reduces the effectiveness of the missile's self-guidance head. In addition, a significant rise in the price of on-board guidance equipment and equipping the missile with an infrared homing head resulted in a high cost of the shot. Therefore, at present, only a few countries have adopted the third generation ATGM.

Russian flagship

On the world arms market, Russia is represented by the Cornet ATGM. Thanks to laser control it is referred to the "2+" generation (there are no third-generation systems in the Russian Federation). The complex has worthy characteristics regarding the "price / efficiency" ratio. If serious substantiations are required for using expensive Javelins, Cornetov, as they say, is not a shame - they can be used more often in any combat modes. The range of its shooting is quite high: 5.5-10 km. The system can be used in a portable mode, as well as installed on a technique.

There are several modifications:

• ATGM "Cornet-D" - an improved system with a range of 10 km and armor penetration for a dynamic protection of 1300 mm.
• "Cornet-EM" - the last deep modernization, is capable of shooting down air targets, primarily helicopters and drones.
• "Cornet-T" and "Cornet-T1" - self-propelled launchers.
• "Cornet-E" is an export version ("Cornet E" ATGM).

The weapons of the Tula specialists, although highly rated, are still being criticized for their insufficient effectiveness against the composite and dynamic armor of modern NATO tanks.

Characteristics of modern ATGMs

The main task, put before the newest guided missiles, is to hit any tank regardless of the type of armor. In recent years, there has been a mini-arms race, when tank builders and ATWM makers are competing. Weapons are becoming increasingly destructive, and armor is more durable.

Given the large-scale application of combined protection combined with dynamic modern anti-tank missiles are also equipped with additional devices that increase the probability of defeat targets. For example, head missiles are equipped with special tips that ensure the detonation of the cumulative ammunition at the optimal distance, which ensures the formation of an ideal cumulative jet.

Typical was the use of missiles with tandem warheads to penetrate the armor of tanks with dynamic and combined protection. Also, to expand the spheres of application of ATGMs to them, rockets with thermobaric warheads are manufactured. In the anti-tank complexes of the third generation, warheads are used that rise to a high altitude when approaching the target and attack it, diving into the roof of the tower and the body where the armor protection is less.

For the use of ATGMs in enclosed spaces, soft start systems (Eryx) are used - rockets are equipped with starting engines, which throw it out at low speed. After removal from the operator (starting module) for a certain distance, a marching engine is activated which accelerates the projectile.

Conclusion

Anti-tank systems are effective systems to combat armored vehicles. They can be carried manually, installed on armored vehicles and aircraft, and on civilian vehicles. The 2nd generation ATGMs are replaced by more advanced homing missiles, stuffed with artificial intelligence.